We welcomed a happy gang of litter pickers, including Fiona for her 3rd session, and Ram for his 5th session 🙌

Fay and Sallyann walked with the litter pickers and bags, whilst Ben sped off ahead, somehow I kept up with him, and the rest of the group sensibly jogged together.

Jane bravely climbed down to the river's edge for maximum litter picking opportunities, whilst Rich joined for a photo opportunity, after the photo opportunity of dragging a chair from the bushes.

Andy alerted us to the news that Chelmsford institution, Back Inn Time, is celebrating it's 40th anniversary with prices from when it first opened. We promptly booked our next social there!

For a final photo opp, Rich of course got into the rogue trolley we found, with Fiona and Ben joining in this time.

Next week we have Painting for Little Edi.

See you all soon!

Laurie

We met this week at a different location due to the length of the run, I was concerned some may head to the usual place so sent Jen there, but no need! Everyone made it so a quick briefing and then off we set! Great to have Sean join us for the first time and tell us all about being RD at Writtle parkrun, who are moving to their winter course this weekend. Check it out!

It is just over 4km each way so we held a steady pace, taking shortcuts where we could. Ram barely broke a sweat, I need longer legs...

As we got to the allotments, we were confused at the odd numbering system in place. Wandering around aimlessly until we spied Sallyann. We headed over to dig the earth over and make the area as flat as possible to lay a greenhouse on in due course.

It was while we were there that Fi revealed she knew Andrew at Mencap, but ordinarily neither of them had any clothes on! Obviously there were no follow up questions to this.

I think we did a great job making the area flat. Posing for a couple of poorly taken photos, Russell lying on the floor to determine flatness being my highlight, followed by the spooky ghost goodgymers as I wink to the camera, we wolfed down loads of biscuits.

We then headed back at a frankly ridiculous pace to see the cats eyes on the path in action. Great task, great running, and great remembering of headtorches everyone.

This week we were back at the new Ideas Hub HQ. Before decorating can begin, there is loads of equipment and fittings to be removed, and remnants of the old Chinese restaurant to be stripped and dismantled.

It was great to welcome new GoodGymer Fiona to her first group run. She got straight into helping Edith move boxes and equipment out of the way ready for the café to be fitted.

Sallyann, Joel and me had the sticky job of stripping the decades old decals from the windows using a heat gun. It took a bit of practice (and some tips from Gemini and Google) but we eventually got the hang of it.

Ben and David grabbed hammers and crowbars to remove the old skirting boards, and when that was done they moved on to kitchen. They were having so much fun demolishing the old boards, it took three attempts to drag them out when it was time to leave.

Sallyann and Fiona washed up while we cleared the floor, and there was time for a quick tour for those who hadn't seen the new digs, and a look at the new tiles that have been laid since we were last here.

Edith said there would be lots more work for us over the coming months.

We ran back the short way, and went home to scrub the industrial glue from our fingers.

Great work everyone 💪 and a special well done to Fiona for coming to her first task, we hope to see you again soon.